Samsung, Apple reach patent détente

Apple and Samsung have been on opposite ends of a fierce patent battle for ages now. Though recent events have shown the two tech giants can put aside their differences and work against a common enemy, the animosity between them has been palpable as they filed patent infringement suits against one another in courts around the world. They were like the Yankees and Red Sox of the patent litigation world.

Until now.

The two companies have released a joint statement, letting the world know that they have agreed to drop all suits against one another in countries other than the United States. This includes ongoing claims in Australia, Germany, France, the UK, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan and South Korea.

This agreement marks another tentative step in the ceasing of hostilities between the tech companies. The two have decided to play nice, dropping various appeals to their patent infringement cases in front of the U.S. International Trade Commission, and abandoning lawsuits related to Motorola Mobility.

Still, this announcement does not mean that everything is rosy between Apple and Samsung. They have yet to reach a cross-licensing agreement, and they still have cases pending in the United States.

“Apple and Samsung have agreed to drop all litigation between the two companies outside the United States,” the joint statement said. “This agreement does not involve any licensing arrangements, and the companies are continuing to pursue the existing cases in U.S. courts.”

Still, every treaty starts with a ceasefire, so this could be the first step in a brave new world of patent cooperation in the high tech market. Only time will tell.